UAE

Posted on September 26, 2016

So blessed
God blessed me so much with a God fearing Husband and six wonderful children, a Doctor, an Architect, a Law student, a graduating engineer, a student pilot and an intelligent only daughter. Being achievers you can imagine our joy collecting medals, diplomas and licenses. As expected we have a very busy life. Needless to say it’s not easy to manage our financial needs. Our kids promised us the “luxuries” of life that we missed because of our sacrifices. Stress is part of our daily life but God always provides. In return we serve our church mostly through CFC but I thought family is my major purpose in life.
THE TRIAL
Last June I was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus. Hysteroscopy indicated cancer cell was high grade and “genetic” (two of my sisters were also diagnosed with cancer within a span of one month) so surgery was urgent. We missed the college graduation of one of our sons but surgery was a success which coincidentally fell on our 28th wedding anniversary.
Miraculously through prayers of my family, relatives, friends, colleagues, and CFC family, biopsy result came out as low grade so no need for any kind of therapy although I am now under rigorous cancer screening regime. In the midst of my confusion, I asked God whatever happened to my life’s purpose? I don’t mind the luxurious life but what about my family if I die? Interestingly, a CFC brother came to our house unannounced two weeks’ prior discovery of my cancer. Mother Mary asked him to pray for a certain abdominal condition and that was the sign of His great mercy for me.
GOD’S ANSWER
In the midst of the confusion, I cried and begged God for an answer. Then He spoke to me:
“You shall be clothed with power from on high when the holy Spirit comes to you, and you will be my witnesses throughout the ends of the earth.”
It dawned on me I have a higher calling besides caring for my family. My family basically glorifies only me so this cannot be my main purpose. I must follow God’s plan, not what I think is best for me. I shouldn’t worry about life’s struggles because He already strengthened me through sacrifices for my family and He is always with me.
I’m ready for my mission. “Lead me Lord and I will follow you.”
By Marilyn Carlos, CFC Dubai

Posted on April 24, 2016

CFC Natcon – March 11, 2016
We have been in CFC community for 10 years but time really doesn’t matter. It is how deep and faithful we are in our commitment to the LORD that matters. The journey of faith is not as easy as most of us thought prior to joining the community. It does not have smooth and well-paved walkways all the time. But rather, there are a lot of humps and pits of various sizes along the way.

Posted on April 11, 2016

October 30, 2015 was just like any other ordinary Friday that started with our Area ANCOP Global Walk in Al Ghusais, Dubai. The next day, however, I suffered from severe headache, sought consultation and was diagnosed with a Subarachnoid Haemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm that needed urgent intervention.
All this happened so fast. Every minute mattered in this battle between life and death. On my second day at the hospital, my left eyelid would not open due to a lack of blood supply. But God is so good, that He did not allow my vision to be affected. He provided everything that I needed through the people He used.
My husband was able to arrive promptly in Dubai, in time for my cerebral angiogram, with his visa issued less than 24 hours. God gave me the best doctor and a community who bombarded heaven with prayers. The CFC members from UAE and Cavite, my HOLD Dubai family, my family and friends, my Extraordinary Eucharistic ministry group at St. Mary's, my colleagues – they all prayed for me.
I had my operations at Al Zahra Hospital in Barsha on the third day.
Before the procedure, every doctor who visited me at the ICU said that I was “a very lucky woman” because, unknown to me, my condition was very critical. I would just respond with a smile and thought that indeed I was lucky, because I have a great God. Except for my left eye, I was conscious throughout my stay with no numbness on any part of my body.
I praise and thank God for allowing me to experience the pain that Jesus suffered – though nothing can compare to His suffering. While I was in pain, I could not do anything but thank God, trusting and believing that if He willed it, I would be healed.
God listens closely to our heartbeats and calms our fears with His comforting words. When I was transferred to Al Zahra, I felt so nervous while the nurses were changing my IV and setting up the equipment in the ICU room. Then, out of nowhere, a Lebanese lady walked into my room, welcomed me and said these exact words: Josephine, don't worry. Jesus will take care of you. I believe Jesus sent her that moment to calm my fears. God showed me so many signs of how great His love is.

Posted on April 10, 2016

I’ve been in the community for almost 19 years this year. My wife, Riza has been in the community longer. I started in Single For Christ (SFC) in Dubai while my wife was in SFC Manila. We met in SFC Dubai and became God’s gift to one another as with so many of our SFCs before moving to Couples For Christ (CFC).

Posted on December 6, 2015

Leo and I always looked forward to being invited to give talks. It’s always a privilege for us, to be precise! And whenever the talks would be for a CLP (Christian Life Program), I cannot help but get emotional. I find myself looking at brothers and sisters of the service team: preoccupied with their individual roles and responsibilities; ever so attentive to the needs of their group, anxious of the time and the smooth flow of the activity…then I look at those eager and enthusiastic participants: eyes glued on the speaker, with either a nod or a shake, intent on digesting the talk and looking forward to the groupings afterwards — the whole scenario never fails to get me teary-eyed! I am completely awed by everything!